Since the current selectmen seem incapable, unwilling and unable to come up with a workable plan, never mind a workable spending plan, perhaps it is time for town residents to do so at Town meeting. Require that a percentage of fiscal year spending go into town savings, as into the stabilization plan. Last night, selectmen spoke as if they are considering using money from the recent OPEB fund to subsidize the fiscal 2017 mess, Hey they are solving issues, just ask John Columbus. They also voted to appoint another interim town administrator. One possible problem is if they keep this one even four months, will there be enough money to hire a full time administrator? The biggest problem appears to be the so called balance budget that they sold town meeting is anything but and they seem unwilling to adjust the pay raises that range from 1 % up to 16%. They claim that this was necessary to bring some positions up to equal other area towns. I have to wonder if they have any idea of how this looks to taxpayers? With the selectmen now having to scramble to find money to cover these increases, I wonder if any of them actually looked at what they presented to town meeting before hand? I wonder if any thought was given to a 3 year step plan, as in what ever the base pay was before, beginning July 1 you will increase 5% of that number with the plan being another 5% increase for next year and the following year, while also being eligible for a yearly cost of living increase that should be based off of what ever increase people on SSN get, if any.But it seems this group wishes to continue to spend more than there is available. Can you say recall?


posted by Jeff Bennett